Spatiotemporal evolution of surface creep in the Parkfield region of the San Andreas Fault (1993–2004) from synthetic aperture radar

The Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault (SAF) is defined as a transitional portion of the fault between slip-release behavior types in the creeping section of the SAF to the northwest and the apparently locked section to the southeast. The Parkfield section is characterized by complex frictional fault behavior because it represents a transition zone from aseismic creep to stick-slip regime. At least six historic earthquakes of Mw ~ 6 have occurred in this area in 1881, 1901, 1922, 1934, 1966, and 2004. It was observed in the 2004 Mw 6.0 Parkfield earthquake that ~ 70% of the total (coseismic and postseismic) moment release occurred aseismically. To understand the SAF behavior in this area, it is of particular interest to measure and analyze, not only the spatial evolution of the surface displacement in this area, but also its evolution over time. Using radar data acquired by the European Space Agency's European Remote Sensing (ERS1-2) satellites, we constructed descending interferograms and retrieved time series of surface displacements along the central SAF for the decade preceding the 2004 Parkfield earthquake. We focus on characterizing the space and time evolution of surface creep in the Parkfield and Cholame sections. The spatial pattern of the interseismic displacement rate indicates that tectonic strain was not uniformly distributed along the strike of the fault between 1993 and 2004. Our data indicate not only a decrease in the creep rate from the Parkfield section to south of Highway-46 from 1.4 ± 0.3 cm/yr to 0.6 ± 0.3 cm/yr, but also a small but significant creep-rate increase in the Cholame section to 0.2 ± 0.1 cm/yr. The evidence for episodic creep in the Cholame section of the SAF south-east of Parkfield is in contrast with previously published interpretations of GPS and trilateration data. The Cholame section of the SAF merits close monitoring because it was likely the nucleation site of the 1857 Fort Tejón earthquake and because it has shown recent evidence of deep slow slip as revealed by deep tremors.

► We use InSAR to study surface creep in the Parkfield area of the San Andreas Fault.
► We characterise the space/time evolution of surface creep on the Parkfield and Cholame sections.
► Tectonic strain is not uniformly distributed along the fault over the period 1993-2004.
► There is a small but significant creep rate on the Cholame segment up to 0.2 ± 0.1 cm/y.
► Seismicity at depth occurs where creep at the surface occurs.